Dispensing carton-measuring cup combinations



Sept. 1, 1964 D. ECKLEY DISPENSING CARTON-MEASURING CUP COMBINATIONSFiled Aug. 7, 1961 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Dorothy L. Eckley Attorne p1, 1964 D. L'. ECKLEY 3,146,914

DISPENSING CARTON-MEASURING CUP COMBINATIONS Filed Aug. '7, 1961 3Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Dorothy L. Eckley l iwa m Attorneys DISPENSING CARTON-MEASURING CUPCOMBINATIONS Filed Aug. 7, 1961 D. L. ECKLEY Sept. 1, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Dorothy L. Eckley Attorneys United StatesPatent 3,146,914 DISPENSING CARTON-MEASURING CUP COMBINATIONS Dorothy L.Eckley, Denver, Colo. (27 0 Marshall St., Lakewood 26, C010.) Filed Aug.7, 1961, Ser. No. 129,694 6 Claims. (Cl. 222-158) This invention relatesto improved dispensing cartonmeasuring cup combinations and moreparticularly to improvements in the combined dispensing carton andattached collapsible measuring cup disclosed in my Patent No. 2,770,403,issued November 13, 1956.

As discussed in said patent a variety of household goods are granulatedor powdered and packaged in paperboard dispensing containers. Many ofthese products, and particularly laundry products such as soap ordetergent, dry bleach and the like, are dispensed and used in carefullymeasured quantities. This is desirable in order to prevent excessivefrothing in laundry appliances and possible damage to clothing and thelike which are being washed. While the arrangement shown and describedin my patent is satisfactory for many uses, careful manipulation isrequired in using it to avoid spillage and to maintain the flexiblemeasuring cup in a non-collapsed condition in the initial fillingthereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improveddispensing carton and contained measuring cup which are easilymanipulated to provide for withdrawal of measured quantities of thecontents without spillage.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved dispensingopening for a carton and associated measuring cup providing simplifiedremoval and retraction of the cup and positive placement of the cup inpouring position so as to prevent spillage.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improvedcollapsible measuring cup mounted on a dispensing carton and whichresists accidental collapsing during filling operations.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improvedconfiguration for a collapsible measuring cup mounted on a dispensingcarton.

A dispensing carton according to my invention has an attachedcollapsible measuring cup stored in its interior when not in use andarranged for removal to a filling and measuring position when a portionof the contents is to be withdrawn. The dispensing container or cartonis of the type normally used for packaging granular soap products andthe like. The collapsible measuring cup is capable of being folded intoa small compact package and secured within the dispensing carton nearthe top thereof. In use, it is moved through a specially shapeddispensing opening or throat of the carton and opened to an operationalconfiguration by a very simple manipulation. The dispensing throat ofthe carton is so constructed and arranged as to cooperate with the upperperipheral lip of the collapsible measuring cup and to guide soap powderand the like being dispensed into the measuring cup without spillage.The upper peripheral edge or lip of the measuring cup is so fabricatedas to have a degree of rigidity in its open and operationalconfiguration and the cup when open is much wider than the pour openingof the carton to thereby prevent accidental collapsing which would causespillage in dispensing of powdered or granulated material from thecarton. Further, the bottom of the measuring cup is so fabricated as toprevent undesirable lodging of granular particles and the like in thebottom of the cup.

The practice of my invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which like "ice reference numerals designatelike parts in the several views. In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upper portion of a dispensingcarton-measuring cup combination embodying features of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the carton of FIG. 1 with themeasuring cup shown in its operational position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the arrangement of FIG. 2 during actualdispensing of granular material from the carton to the measuring cup;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the inactive position ofthe measuring cup before opening the, carton;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the initial or first step inmanipulation of the measuring cup from its inactive position shown inFIG. 4 and before its complete unfolding to the operational position ofFIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 6 is the arrangement of FIG. 4 during a second step in the sequenceof manipulation in unpackaging of the measuring cup;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternative measuring cupand dispensing carton constructed according to the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the measuring cup used with thealternative arrangement of FIG. 7.

In FIG. 1 a dispensing carton it) of the paperboard type is shown havingperforations 11 formed through an upper portion of a sidewall 12. Theperforations preweaken wall 12 in a pattern for subsequent manipulationto form a dispensing throat without requiring extraneous cuttinginstruments. This pattern includes an elongated horizontal portion 13parallel to the upper and lower edges of wall 12, but terminating shortof the side edges thereof where its opposite ends merge with therespective pairs of outwardly diverging portions 14 and 15 respectively.

An envelope 20 is mounted inside the carton and encloses a foldedmeasuring cup or bag 29 which will be described below. Envelope 20 isbent in substantially its center and has one-half its outer faceattached to the inner surface of sidewall 12 and the other half of thatface is attached to the inner surface of top wall 12'. That portion ofthe outer face which is attached to wall 12 has a perforated patternsimilar to pattern 11 formed in wall 12. Thus, the pattern formed inenvelope 20 is broken or opened at the same time pattern 11 in wall 12is broken. When the package material is broken, flap 25 is formed andwhen it is moved outwardly and upwardly as shown in FIG. 2, theevacuated portion becomes a pouring throat 26 which is best seen in FIG.3. The generally truncated triangular shaped side flaps 27 and 28 areleft in position in substantially the same plane as wall 12 therebyforming downwardly converging sides for the throat which direct thegranular material from the interior of the carton into the measuring cupwhen it is manipulated to its operational configuration. In thatconfiguration, bag or cup 29 has a diameter greater than the width ofwall 12 and extends ontwardly from the throat. Measuring cup 29 ispreferably fabricated of a flexible transparent plastic sheet material.It-has its upper edge or lip rolled as indicated at 30 whereby greaterstrength and stability is imparted to the cup when open, therebypreventing collapsing during pouring of granular material into the cup.The truncated triangular flaps 27 and 28 cooperate with adjacentportions of wall 12 to grip the rolled lip of cup 29 preventing movementthereof.

As seen in FIG. 3, coded indicia in the form of a series of parallel,horizontal lines are placed on the cup with suitable printing indicatingsequential quarter cup to full cup volumes. The lower or bottom portionof cup 29 is fiat rather than tapering to a point to prevent granularmaterial becoming lodged in the bottom of the cup, and to facilitateemptying the cup.

In FIG. 4 envelope 20 is shown in its closed configuration withincontainer lltl and wherein one-half its outer face is attached to theinside of upper Wall 12' the other half of its face is attached to theinside of wall 12. When the perforations discussed above with referenceto FiGS. 1 through 3 are broken, envelope 20 is similarly brokenallowing the flexible measuring cup 29 to be moved outwardly through thepouring throat generally as indicated in FIG. 5. As first unfolded fromthe envelope, the measuring cup is generally in the form of an elongatedtriangle. When so moved to its extended position somewhat as indicatedby the arrows in FIG. 5, side wing portions are unfolded as indicated byreference numeral 29a in FIG. 6 and then the rolled lip portion 30 ofthe cup is pulled outwardly to the operational position of the cup shownin FIGS. 2 and 3. In the latter stage of manipulation, adjoiningportions of rolled lip 30 are disposed under truncated triangular flaps2'7 and 28. These truncated triangular flaps frictionally engage therolled lip thereby preventing undesirable sidewise movement of the cuprelative to the dispensing carton during pouring operations. This avoidsone of the difficulties encountered With my patented arrangement whereinthe cup was free to swing sidewise thereby increasing the opportunityfor spillage if due care were not exercised.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Adispensing carton at similar to carton and having a sidewall 41 and topwall 41 is adapted to cooperate with a measuring cup 42 in a mannersimilar to the arrangement of FIGS. 1-6. However, the pouring throat ofthis arrangement is generally of an upwardly opening rectangularconfiguration having a smaller width than sidewall 41 whereby upontearing of the perforated pattern rectangular flap 43 is formed which issmaller in width than sidewall 41. In this arrangement, the rear portionof the rolled peripheral edge or lip 44 of measuring cup 42 is adaptedto cooperate with the upwardly opening throat to guide granular materialfrom the interior of the carton 40 into cup 42. The envelope 45 in whichmeasuring cup 42 is contained is shown in FIG. 8 and is adapted to haveone-half its outer face attached to upper wall 41' and the other half ofits outer surface attached to sidewall 41. However, instead of the tearpattern of the envelope above described, a generally rectangular patternis included in envelope 45. The dimensions of the rectangular patternare similar or substantially identical to the upwardly openingrectangular pattern formed in sidewall 41 so that upon rupture of thesidewall along its perforated pattern there is a similar opening ofenvelope 45 along its curved tear line whereby cup 42 may be manipulatedfrom its folded configuration substantially in the same manner as abovediscussed with reference to FIGS. 4 through 6 to move it to theoperational position of FIG. 7. This arrangement also allows cooperationbetween the rolled lip and dispensing throat to prevent sidewisemovement of the cup during pouring operations.

From the foregoing, it is clear that my invention provides a convenientand easily produced packaging arrangement and one which insures easywithdrawal and return of the measuring cup which has portions secured tothe inner surfaces of the container. In operation, the open top of themeasuring cup is of such dimension and so located relative to thedispensing throat that spillage is effectively prevented in pouringoperations. The rolled rim portion provides adequate stability to avoidcollapsing of the cup and the indicia is readily observed so thatdesired fills are easily attained.

It will be apparent that the two forms of the cartonmeasuring cupcombination shown and described provide a positive control of themeasuring cup during pouring manipulation of the carton. The provisionof the folded rim portion on the measuring cup provides sufficientstiffening of the flexible material to prevent collapsing closure of thetop of the cup during pouring. The arrangements of the interiorfastening of the cup to the carton and the securing of the cartonmaterial adjacent the pour opening so as to prevent lateral swingingmovement of such top portion insure accurate filling of the cup to anydesired level and the provision of the visible indicia on the measuringcup insures accurate filling of selected amounts.

After a desired quantity of the contents has been removed from thecarton and the measured amount has been discharged from the cup, the cupis folded and returned through the pouring opening to the interior ofthe carton. The fiat portion is moved downwardly to close the pouropening and the carton is again effectively closed until such time asanother portion of the contents in to be withdrawn.

Changes and modifications may be availed of within the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined in the hereunto appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combined dispensing carton and measuring cup for granularmaterials, comprising a hollow box-like body adapted to stand in anupright position and providing a complete enclosure for its granularcontent when filled, the box having a scored portion in one upright walladjacent i s top defining a terminus of its top portion, said scoredportion being narrower at the bottom and wider at the top whereby toform a pouring opening with tapering sides after separation of thescored portions, a flexible bag disposed within said body after thebox-like enclosure is filled, with part of its top surface secured alongthe bottom scored portion and upwardly along the tapered sides on theinterior surface and arranged for its suspension through the pouringopening with its top spread open and in covering relation to the bottomand part of the tapered sides of the pouring opening, the diameter ofthe open top of the bag being substantially greater than the maximumwidth of the pouring opening, and stiffening means disposedcircumferentially of the top of the bag for holding the top open whilethe bag is suspended through the pouring opening for reception ofgranular material poured through said pouring opening.

2. The assembly as defined in claim I, in which the stiffening meanscomprises a folded rim.

3. The assembly as defined in claim 1, in which the bag is generallyconical and has a flat bottom portion.

4. A combined dispensing carton and measuring cup for granularmaterials, comprising a hollow box-like body adapted to stand in anupright position and providing a complete enclosure for its granularcontent when filled, the box having a scored portion in one upright walladjaent its top defining a terminus of its top portion, said scoredportion being narrower at the bottom and wider at the top whereby toform a pouring opening with tapering sides after separation of thescored portions, a separable envelope disposed above the stored contentswithin the body and having surfaces attached to the inner surface of thebody adjoining the scored portion so as to be ruptured when the scoredportions are separated, a flexible bag disposed within said envelopeafter the box-like enclosure is filled, with part of its top surfacesecured along the bottom scored portion and upwardly along the taperedsides on the interior surface and arranged for its suspension throughthe pouring opening with its top spread open and in covering relation tothe bottom and part of the tapered sides of the pouring opening, thediameter of the open top of the bag being substantially greater than themaximum width of the pouring opening, and stiffening means disposedcircumferentialiy of the top of the bag for holding the top open whilethe bag is suspended through the pouring opening for reception ofgranular material poured through said pouring opening.

5. A combined dispensing carton and measuring cup for granularmaterials, comprising a hollow box-like body adapted to stand in anupright position and providing a complete enclosure for its granularcontent when filled, the box having a scored portion in one upright Walladjacent its top defining a terminus of its top portion, said scoredportion being narrower at the bottom and wider at the top whereby toform a pouring opening with tapering sides after separation of thescored portions, a flexible bag disposed within said body after thebox-like enclosure is filled, with part of its top surface secured alongthe bottom scored portion and upwardly along the tapered sides on theinterior surface and arranged for its suspension through the pouringopening with its top spread open and in covering relation to the bottomand part of the tapered sides of the pouring opening, the diameter ofthe open top of the bag being substantially greater than the maximumwidth of the pouring opening, means on the body for holding the top ofthe bag against lateral displacement when it is suspended through thepouring opening, and stiflening means disposed circumferentially of thetop of the bag for holding the top open while the bag is suspendedthrough the pouring opening for reception of granular material pouredthrough said pouring opening.

6. A combined dispensing carton and measuring cup for granularmaterials, comprising a hollow box-like body adapted to stand in anupright position and providing a complete enclosure for its granularcontent when filled, the box having a scored portion in one upright walladjacent its top defining a terminus of its top portion, said scoredportion being narrower at the bottom and wider at the top whereby toform a pouring opening with tapering sides after separation of thescored portions, a flexible bag disposed within said body after filling,with part of its top surface secured along the bottom scored portion andupwardly along the tapered sides on the interior surface and arrangedfor its suspension through the pouring opening with its top spread openand in covering relation to the bottom and part of the tapered sides ofthe pouring opening, the diameter of the open top of the bag beingsubstantially greater than the maximum width of the pouring opening,stiffening means disposed circumferentially of the top of the bag forholding the top open While the bag is suspended through the pouringopening for reception of granular material poured through said pouringopening, and indicia at intervals through the length of the bag formeasuring the amount of fill.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,447,771 Engle Mar. 6, 1923 2,737,332 Amberg et a1. Mar. 6, 19562,770,403 Eckley Nov. 13, 1956 2,909,300 Engram Oct. 20, 1959

6. A COMBINED DISPENSING CARTON AND MEASURING CUP FOR GRANULARMATERIALS, COMPRISING A HOLLOW BOX-LIKE BODY ADAPTED TO STAND IN ANUPRIGHT POSITION AND PROVIDING A COMPLETE ENCLOSURE FOR ITS GRANULARCONTENT WHEN FILLED, THE BOX HAVING A SCORED PORTION IN ONE UPRIGHT WALLADJACENT ITS TOP DEFINING A TERMINUS OF ITS TOP PORTION, SAID SCOREDPORTION BEING NARROWER AT THE BOTTOM AND WIDER AT THE TOP WHEREBY TOFORM A POURING OPENING WITH TAPERING SIDES AFTER SEPARATION OF THESCORED PORTIONS, A FLEXIBLE BAG DISPOSED WITHIN SAID BODY AFTER FILLING,WITH PART OF ITS TOP SURFACE SECURED ALONG THE BOTTOM SCORED PORTION ANDUPWARDLY ALONG THE TAPERED SIDES ON THE INTERIOR SUR-